NEW IBERIA, La. --- The Louisiana Sugar Cane Festival Association is honored to announce King Sucrose LXXIX, David Wayne Thibodeaux.
New Iberia native and General Manager of St. Mary Sugar Cooperative, Inc., David Thibodeaux is a descendent of sugar cane farmers. After the passing of his father in 1961, his family farm was sold.
Thibodeaux worked in the oil and gas sector prior to beginning his sugar career 36 years ago at Jeanerette Sugar Cooperative, Inc. Sugar continues to run through his veins to this day.
His contribution to the industry includes serving on various boards, including Sugar Grower & Refiners, Inc.; Louisiana Sugar Cane Products, Inc.; Teche Mills, LLC; American Sugar Cane League; American Sugar Cane League Foundation and the American Society of Sugarcane Technologists.
Thibodeaux and his wife of 43 years, Fran Alvarado Thibodeaux, look forward to celebrating the 79th Louisiana Sugar Cane Festival on September 23-26 with their family and community who have helped him reach this milestone.
Other 2021 festival honorees include:
- Mr. Iberia: Paul Schexnayder
- Festival Honorees: Jeff & Sharon Jolet
- Festival Grand Marshal: Hester Patout Bourdier
About the Louisiana Sugar Cane Festival:
The Louisiana Sugar Cane Festival, to be held September 23-26, will kick off the season of one of the state’s premiere industries. For 79 years, the festival has brought together sugar producing parishes to honor the sugar industry with royalty, delicious foods, Cajun entertainment and a great time in downtown New Iberia.
Several parades will party down New Iberia’s Main Street and the "all ages" street fair will include kiddie rides, entertainment and fireworks. The Cyr Gates Community Center will house numerous events including a photography and art show, sugar cookery contest, and garden/flower show.
This year's fais do do lineup includes LA Roxx, Parish County Line, Clay Cormier, Jamie Bergeron, Geno Delafose, Three Thirty Seven and The Bad Boys Band.
With new offerings added such as Farm Fest at Shadows-on-the-Teche, to classics like the blessing of the crop, the festival is still one of the area’s favorite times of year.
For additional information, please visit
HiSugar.org or contact Lisa Duhe Lourd, media chair, at (843) 816-2209 or by
email.
